I often am bothered when people make these threads instead of looking things up for themselves, but I always value the insight from you guys--insight you can't always get from Yelp, TripAdvisor, etc. I'm going up to Detroit this weekend to see the Tribe, but will also be doing some exploring of the city. I know there are a number of you who are very familiar with the Motor City. I have no interest in taking "ruin porn" pictures or anything like that, and I want to see as much of "real Detroit" as possible.

 

I have been there a few times before, but haven't spent much time at all outside of downtown/midtown. Here is what I've seen there: Ren Center, Comerica Park, Tiger Stadium (RIP), the Motown Museum, American/Layette Coney Island, Greektown, and the riverfront area. We are planning to check out Eastern Market and Corktown, but that's all I have on the list so far. What other areas would an urbanist like myself like to see? Particular emphasis on interesting neighborhoods outside of downtown.

Boston-Edison and Indian Village are interesting for looking at great old houses and mansions.  There isn't a lot to do in them otherwise.  The Southwest side, mostly along W. Vernor Hwy, is an active Mexican neighborhood.  The "suburb" of Hamtramck is a lot like their version of Lakewood, with a large population of Asian Indians, lots of funky shops, restaurants and pedestrian activity  Ferndale is also sort of Lakewood-like, at least the main strip along 9-Mile.  The housing is a little more Parma-like.  Dearborn has some interesting commercial areas, and houses one of the largest Middle Eastern populations in America.  Royal Oak and Birmingham both have active if overly tony suburban downtowns- Royal Oak may have the most pedestrian traffic you'll find in Greater Detroit.

Boston-Edison and Indian Village are interesting for looking at great old houses and mansions.  There isn't a lot to do in them otherwise.  The Southwest side, mostly along W. Vernor Hwy, is an active Mexican neighborhood.  The "suburb" of Hamtramck is a lot like their version of Lakewood, with a large population of Asian Indians, lots of funky shops, restaurants and pedestrian activity  Ferndale is also sort of Lakewood-like, at least the main strip along 9-Mile.  The housing is a little more Parma-like.  Dearborn has some interesting commercial areas, and houses one of the largest Middle Eastern populations in America.  Royal Oak and Birmingham both have active if overly tony suburban downtowns- Royal Oak may have the most pedestrian traffic you'll find in Greater Detroit.

 

That's perfect...exactly what I was looking for. Thank you!

Depending on how much of an architecture history buff you are, you might enjoy taking a quick look at Lafayette Park, a Mies van der Rohe-designed urban renewal project just east of Downtown. I've never been to Detroit, but this area is high on my list for when I do go. http://miesdetroit.org/

 

And go Tribe!

Yeah, I was thinking about checking that out. It's close enough to downtown.

 

Does Detroit have a Lakeview Cemetery equivalent?